Jevice for exterminating noxious weeds and grasses



. C. MATTERN. DEVICE FOR E XTERMINAT|NG NOXIOUS WE EDS AND GRASSES APPLICATION HLED JUNE 5. L9H.

1,3%2,%9, PatehtedNov. 18,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L INVENTOR 'azz/"aa [Zia Zia/w WITNESSES G. MATTERN.

DEVICE FOR EXTERMl-NATING NOXIQUS WEEDS AND GRASSES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. 1911.v

1,322,459. Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR CONRAD MATTERN. OF NORMA. NORTH DAKOTA.

DEVICE FOR EXTERMINATING NOXIOUS WEEDS AND GRASSES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18 1919.

Application filed June 5, 1917. Serial No. 172,919.

1 '0 all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I. CONRAD MATTERN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norma, in the county of Renvilleand State of North Dakota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Exterminating Noxious Weeds and Grasses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for exterminating noxious weeds and grasses by burning the same.

The invention has for its object to produce a simple and improved device of the class described which maybe readily drawn or dragged over the ground, the same being provided with burners whereby flames will be projected in a downward direction so as to destroy weeds or grasses lying in the path thereof as well as the seeds of such weeds and grasses that may be in the ground.

A further object of the invention is to produce a device of the class described adapted for consuming gasolene or similar liquid fuel and in which the pipes for conducting such fluid will be protected against the intense heat of the flames.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and improved device of the class described having a smoke exit and wind shields that will prevent the flames from being blown out in windy weather.

With these and other nds in view which readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In th accompanying drawing has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the invention, it bein however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the claim may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken .on the line 5-5 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line (3-4) in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation showing also a fuel supply tank mounted for transportation.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

The body of the improved device consists of a casing of sheet metal or other suitable material, said casing comprising a top wall 15 and side walls 16, the latter being preferably bent to form laterally extending runners 17 at the lower edges thereof. Within the casing is arranged a longitudinal horizontal partition 18, said partition extending from the front end of the casing nearly to the rear end thereof, the rear end of said partition being connected with the top wall by a wall portion 19, the latter being spaced apart from the rear wall 20 which extends downwardly from the rear end of the top wall 15. A front wall 21 extends downwardly from the front end of the top wall 15 and the latter is provided near its rearward end with an upwardly extending smoke stack 22 communicating with the space between the rear wall 20 and the wall member 19. Connected with the lower edges of the rear and front walls 20 and 21 by means of hinges 23, 24 are gates 25, 26, the latter being so arranged and proportioned as to operate between the side walls 16 while the gate 25 may be of a width slightly exceeding the distance between the side Walls so as to close against the rear edges of the latter. The front and rear ends of the side walls 16 have been shown as being beveled in a downward and rearward direction, it having been found that this construction facilitates the progress and operation of the device.

The space between the top wall 15, partition 18 and front end wall 21 and the wall member 19 is filled with a cement composition indicated at 27 in which is embedded a longitudinal feed pipe 28 having transversely disposed branch pipes 29, the latter being provided with downward extensions 30 that project through and beneath the partition 18 and are equipped with burners 31 of suitable construction. The front end of the feed pipe is connected by a duct 32 preferably of a flexible nature with a supply tank 33, the feed pipe being also provided with a valve 34 whereby the supply of fuel from the tank 33 may be regulated. The fuel may be fed by gravity provided the truck or vehicle 37 with which the casing of the device may be connected. by nieansof' draft chains 38 or in any convenient manner. In practice, it is intended to fill the feed pipe 28, as well as the branch pipes 29, with a packing of 'fine clean sand or with fibrous material such as asbestos wool or the like as indicated at 40, the purpose being to retard the flow of the liquid fuel and to cause ample developmentof gas by the vaporization of the liquid fuel before it reaches the burners. Air in sufficient quantity to maintain combustion will be supplied through the front/gate 26.

In the operation of this device the casing is dragged over the ground either in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7 or by attaching it to a tractor or similar agricultural implement. The front gate 26 will be swung open by contact with grasses, roots, stubble and the like, thus also admitting air to support combustion, the gas issuing through the burners having been previously ignited. By

the implement to "direction.

the intense heat thus produced the objection- 30 through the chimney or smoke stack 22 and the rear gate 25 will swing open to .permit pass freely in a forward What is claimed is:

In a device of the class described, a casing having top, side and end Walls, out- Wa'rdly turned flanges formed on the side walls to define supporting runners, a smoke outlet provided at one end of the top wall, a longitudinal horizontal partition extending from the front Wall and terminating short of the rear wall to provide a passage for establishing communication between the interior of the casing proper and the smoke outlet, a relatively heavy material located between the top wall and the partition, a fuel pipe embedded in said material, burners positioned below the partition and connected to the fuel pipe and horizontally swinging hinged doorspositioned within openings formed in the front and rear walls.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CONRAD MATTERN. 

